Monster Hunter Arena Quests Guide

Welcome to the Monster Hunter Wilds Arena Quests guide, Hunters! Title Update 1 has finally delivered some of the most requested features since the game launched back in February — and one of the biggest highlights is the return of the Arena.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how Arena Quests work, what rules you’ll be up against, what rewards are on the line, and offer a few solid tips to help you get started.

Looking to climb the leaderboard faster? Arena Challenges boost from SkyCoach might be exactly what you need. Getting used to preset loadouts can be rough — you don’t get to choose your favorite weapons or armor, and every second counts. But those Arena Tokens and exclusive weapon pendants aren’t going to earn themselves. If you’re short on time (or patience), SkyCoach’s expert hunters can help you farm the rewards you’re after, hassle-free.

Read our other articles:

• Artian Weapons Guide
• Multiplayer Guide
• Gearing Guide
• Best Builds for Each Weapon
• Best Settings Guide
• Beginner's Guide

 

 

What Are Arena Quests?

Arena Quests are special time-attack missions introduced in Title Update 1 for Monster Hunter Wilds. Unlike standard hunts, where you get to bring your own loadout, Arena Quests give every hunter the same preset gear and items, meaning skill, timing, and knowledge of the monster are all that really matter.

These quests are built for competition. You’ll be ranked based on how quickly you can defeat the target, and your times will be recorded on the Expedition Record Board in the Monster Hunter Wilds Grand Hub. If you’re the type who likes shaving off seconds, perfecting your combos, and chasing leaderboard glory, this is where you’ll thrive. BLOG20

Arena Quests are part of a broader category called Time-Based Competition Quests, which also includes Challenge Quests and Free Challenge Quests — each with slightly different rules.

1. Arena Quests: Preset equipment, up to 2 players, Support Hunters allowed.
2. Challenge Quests: Similar to Arena Quests, but available for a limited time.
3. Free Challenge Quests: No gear restrictions, up to 4 players, also limited-time only.

Each run is tightly controlled to make sure everyone’s playing under the same conditions — no Palicoes, no custom gear (except in Free Challenges), no shortcuts — just a clean, focused hunt.

How to Unlock Arena Quests

How to unlock Arena Quests in MH Wilds comes down to simply reaching the Grand Hub and speaking to Ricardo — nothing extra required. 

To be more specific, you’ll first need access to the Grand Hub, which unlocks at Hunter Rank 16. Once you’ve reached that milestone, talk to Tetuzan in Suja, and you’ll be able to travel to the hub where all Arena activity is based.

From there, head to Ricardo, who is the manager of the Arena Quest Counter to view available quests. You’ll also find the Expedition Record Board nearby — this is where global rankings are displayed, letting you compare your best times with hunters from around the world.

Arena Quests rotate regularly, and some may be limited-time only, so it’s worth checking back often if you’re hunting for specific rewards or aiming to beat a certain monster.

Arena Quest Rules & Mechanics

Arena Quests in Monster Hunter Wilds are all about fairness and efficiency. Every player goes in with the same pre-selected equipment — no crafting, no customization, no shortcuts. These quests are designed to create a level playing field so that the only thing that matters is how well and how fast you can hunt.

Here’s what you need to know before stepping into the arena:

• Preset Loadouts Only: You’ll be given a fixed set of weapons, armor, and items for each quest. Each Arena Quest offers three preset loadouts, and you choose one before starting. These are designed to suit different playstyles (e.g. ranged, melee, support).
• Solo or Duo Only: Arena Quests are limited to a maximum of two players, and Palicoes are not allowed. Support Hunters can fill empty player slots, making it easier to tackle duo content solo.
• Separate Rankings per Loadout: Each preset loadout tracks its own completion record. If you clear the same quest with multiple builds, you’ll earn a separate time and rank for each.
• Time-Based Performance: Completion times are tracked and rewarded based on a ranking system:
  • A Rank – Clear in 3:30 or less (Chatacabra)
  • B Rank – Clear in 15:00 or less (Chatacabra)
  • C Rank – Clear in 50:00 or less (Chatacabra)
• World Rankings: Your best times are submitted to global leaderboards via the Expedition Record Board, so you can see how you stack up against other hunters.
• No Midway Joins: You cannot join an Arena Quest that’s already in progress. All participants must start the hunt at the same time.
• Online-Only for Limited Quests: Some quests — especially Challenge and Free Challenge Quests — are only available while connected online.
• Some Quests Are Grand Hub Exclusive: Not all Arena content is available from regular camps or menus — some quests can only be accessed from the Grand Hub.
• Limited-Time Variants:
  
  • Challenge Quests: Same preset gear rules, but only available for a limited time.
  • Free Challenge Quests: Allow full gear customization and up to four players, also limited-time.

Every Arena or Challenge Quest is a test of precision. There’s no room for wasted motion, and every mistake costs you valuable seconds. If you’re aiming for top-tier rewards or MH Wilds arena leaderboard glory, knowing the rules is just the beginning.

Rewards & Progression

Arena Quests aren’t just for bragging rights — they’re one of the few ways to earn exclusive materials used to forge unique armor sets that are both stylish and highly functional.

Each time you complete an Arena Quest, you’re rewarded based on your performance, which is ranked by completion time:

The better your time, the more valuable your MH Wilds Arena rewards. Every Arena Quest features three preset loadouts, and your completion time — and reward tier — is tracked separately for each one.

Key rewards include:

1. Pinnacle Coin – A gold-tier, rarity 6 material awarded for high performance. It's described as a commemorative coin for hunters who have mastered the craft and is used to forge exclusive Arena equipment.
2. Monster-Specific Coins – These include items like the Chata Coin, earned by defeating a Chatacabra in the Arena. You’ll need them to unlock monster-themed gear tied directly to specific quests.

For example, Gourmand’s Earring α, a low-rank Arena-exclusive helm, requires Chata Coins, Pinnacle Coins, and basic materials like Carbalite Ore. It provides support-focused skills like Speed Eating and Free Meal, great for utility builds.

Arena rewards aren’t just about flair — they can offer real combat advantages. The Guild Cross α armor set, also crafted using Arena coins, includes top-tier utility skills like:

1. Earplugs, Flinch Free, Focus, Windproof, and Tremor Resistance, all at level 3 or above
2. It also includes the Luck group skill, powered by Glory’s Favor.

With a base defense of 210 and solid resistances across the board, it’s a great early-to-mid-game option for consistent performance under pressure.

In addition to armor, Arena Quests can also reward weapon pendants as participation bonuses or based on your ranking, letting you customize your loadout visuals and show off your Arena grind. You'll also be able to earn titles, and other Hunter Profile's customization options. BLOG20

Capcom is also rolling out limited-time bounties tied specifically to Arena Quests. These appear on the Expedition Record Board in the Grand Hub and offer extra rewards for staying active and competitive.

Whether you’re farming for gear, chasing leaderboards, or just collecting cool-looking items, Arena Quests deliver real value — and if you want to speed up the grind, SkyCoach boosts can help you rack up rewards and forge gear without the hassle.

Tips & Strategy

Arena Quests strip away your comfort zone, so preparation isn’t about loadouts — it’s about knowing the monster, the map, and the moves. Here are a few quick MH Wilds Arena tips and tricks to help you improve your times and grab better rewards:

1. Study the Preset Loadouts — Before you even engage the monster, take a moment to examine the gear you’ve been given. Each loadout is designed to be viable — but not always intuitive. Understanding what your weapon can (and can’t) do is half the battle.
2. Learn the Monster’s Patterns — There’s no room for sloppy dodges or missed openings. Watch for telegraphs, commit to punishes, and keep the pressure on. Speed comes from confidence, not panic.
3. Positioning > Damage — Since your gear is fixed, your efficiency matters more than raw damage. Staying close, minimizing whiffs, and chaining combos smartly can save you more time than spamming big hits and missing half of them.
4. Duo? Coordinate Roles — If you’re playing with a partner, assign soft roles — one keeps aggro while the other stays aggressive, or alternate knockdowns. Even minor coordination can cut your clear time significantly.
5. Practice Specific Monsters — If a quest rotates back in, use the experience. Since gear and monster placement won’t change, repeat runs can help you find the best lines, optimal openings, and improved routes to S-rank clears.
6. Watch the Leaderboards — Global rankings can actually be educational. Compare your time with top runs to get an idea of what’s possible — and where you’re likely losing time.

Need faster results or help clearing that one monster giving you trouble? SkyCoach Arena Boosts can pair you with experienced hunters who already know the optimal strats. It’s a great shortcut if you’re more interested in the rewards than the grind.

Conclusion

Arena Quests in Monster Hunter Wilds are a welcome return for hardcore players and speedrun fans alike. With tight rules, preset loadouts, and time-based rankings, they offer one of the most skill-focused challenges in the game. Whether you're aiming for a top leaderboard spot or just trying to collect every pendant, the Arena is where you prove your mastery.

And if the grind ever starts to feel like a slog, don’t forget — SkyCoach Arena Challenges are a solid way to skip the struggle and head straight for the rewards. No shame in getting a little help when the clock’s working against you.

Now gear up, study those monsters, and start chasing those S-ranks. The arena doesn’t hand out glory — you’ve got to earn it.

F.A.Q.